The Cardinal and The Church – A Little Birdie Told Me

Last week I was bemoaning the fact that I had not seen a cardinal since early spring. As the few snows melted away in the early part of the year there were a couple of them that brightened my view. But it had been months.

This morning I decided to take on the humidity of the day. I walked down the road and took a new path. As I moved down the path, I could see the bright red creature, flitting around the pathway. A cardinal! I could tell it was eating breakfast as the result of the thunderstorm last night. There were bugs, worms and seeds alongside a small puddle. He just bounced around. As I shortened the distance between us, it flew up to a fence rail on the side of the path. Finally as I was a few feet away, it arced up to a light on the side of the neighboring building. And moments after that it began to make effort to get under the roof overhang.I thought about this bird for a long time as I walked. In the midst of the dreary day, he had brought color to my day. I felt the Lord stir in my heart as I meditated on what I had just seen.

It was an overcast day, humid with thick air when he appeared. Many of us are trudging through the overcast day, and the Lord simply says as David said, “why so downcast…” Psalm 43:5
I had not planned on going for a walk at all. There was much to do. He is saying “make time for me.” Psalm 18:32
I had determined when I left that I would enjoy myself. Everyone I saw added value to my life with their “good mornings.” Someone needs your encouragement today. And we must purpose joy in our hearts. 1 Thessalonians 5:11
I took a different path than usual. Sometimes what looks best is not the answer. Witness the story of Abraham and Lot. Genesis 13:8-9
I had to get “out” to even see his beauty. The blessing is often in the going.
After seeing the cardinal, I was encouraged and added miles to my walk.
Seeing the cardinal made me realize God is answering prayer.

I saw something play out in the cardinal’s actions.

He was eating and playing near the puddle when I first approached. (Food and drink are important.)
As I got closer, he jumped to the top of the fence.
Even closer, he hit the light.
Finally moving to enter under the roof.

It was the food that people partook in as Jesus did miracles. (John 6) But it was freedom (Top of the fence.) that He was offering truly offering by coming to the light. He was offering refuge from the “storm” in the eave.

Funny how there is truth that a “little birdie told you.”